Charter Hangings

Sketch by Isabel Clover

The Ipswich Charter Hangings were commissioned by the Ipswich Arts Association to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to Ipswich by King John, and are a major artefact celebrating the history of Ipswich.

The eight panels that make up the complete work were
researched and designed by Isabel Clover, a lecturer and tutor at Suffolk College renowned nationally for her ecclesiastical embroidery. They were produced under her direction by current or former City and Guild students.

The involvement and support of companies, civic societies, and individuals was essential to the creation and ongoing life of the hangings. Eight principal sponsors supported their creation, each being credited with a specific panel.

The sponsors were:

  • Viking – Ipswich Borough Council
  • Charter – Ipswich Decorative and Fine Arts Society (NADFAS)
  • Medieval – The Ipswich Society
  • Tudor – Ensors Chartered Accountants
  • Stuart – The people of Ipswich, by donations made during the 2000 IAA Lecture Series
  • Georgian – The Rotary Clubs of Ipswich
  • Victorian – Ipswich Port Authority
  • 20th Century – Suffolk College

In addition glazed display cases were produced by local Contractor and Joiner, V.A. Marriot Ltd.

The video (4min) gives an introduction and overview of the Ipswich Charter Hangings:

The Charter Hangings are on permanent display at St Peter’s by the Waterfront, Church and Arts Centre, College St. Ipswich IP1 1XF. Located by the historic docks and waterfront area and adjacent to Wolsey’s Gateway.
Since being installed at St Peter’s the Ipswich Charter Hangings have proved to be a popular attraction with tourists and local visitors alike. They offer a unique perspective on the history of the town and are well worth adding to any list of things to see and do in Ipswich.

The Ipswich Charter Hangings on display at St Peter's by the Waterfront, arts and heritage centre. IP1 1XF. Located by the historic docks and waterfront and adjacent to Wolsey's Gate.

The Ipswich Charter Hangings on display at St Peter’s by the Waterfront.

St Peter’s re-opened in 2008 as St Peter’s by the Waterfront – Arts & Heritage Centre and runs a full programme of events throughout the year.  St Peters by the Waterfront

It is open to the public on the following days and times;

May – September:
…Tuesdays: 10am – 4pm. Wednesdays: 12noon – 2.00pm. Thursdays: 10am – 4pm.
October – April:
…Wednesdays: 12noon – 2.00pm.

Volunteer Stewards
Ipswich Arts Association are keen to hear from volunteer stewards, to help with covering Tuesdays.
More details are contained in this pdf – Charter Volunteers
If interested or would like to know more about being involved, please email –
Ann Cloke;  charterhangings@ipswich-arts.org.uk

Book and Postcard Sets
To support the Charter Hangings, a fully illustrated book and sets of postcards have been produced. In the book Isabel Clover gives a fascinating overview of the whole creative and working process plus historical information for each panel.
Local artist, Ferial Evans was commissioned to paint an illustrative map for the books centre page spread. The vignettes all depict buildings and scenes featured in the Hangings. Some of the illustrations are buildings as they are today; other buildings or scenes have long gone, creating a novel, somewhat whimsical air to the work. The original artwork is on display at St Peter’s.

Book – A4, 32 pages – £7.95 each.
Bookmark (2000 – 2020 Anniversary) 210 x 50mm. – £1.00
Postcard Set – 8 cards, 1 of each Charter Hanging, 6 x 4 inches – £3.00 set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The book and postcard sets may be purchased in person from:
St Peter’s by the Waterfront, College Street, Ipswich IP1 1XF
Christchurch Mansion, Christchurch Park, Soane Street, Ipswich IP4 2BE

Or by post, from the Ipswich Arts Association. Prices as shown above + P&P
Please contact Ann Cloke for details at:  charterhangings@ipswich-arts.org.uk

Ipswich Charter Hangings – a brief history.
Before arriving at St Peter’s, the Panels had been shown at venues in and around Ipswich and Suffolk. They have also traveled to France, to the town of Arras,(twinned with Ipswich) and to the United States, where they where displayed in Ipswich, Massachusetts and in Jamestown as part of the celebrations to mark the 400th year of the first settlement. The attention to historic detail, displayed with such high crafting skills and beauty has been appreciated and enjoyed at every venue.

Acknowledgements
The following worked on the Charter Hangings:
L. BENCE, J. GOODMAN, C. NORMAN, U. BAILLIE, B. GRIMALDI, B. PACKER, P. CATTON,
J. HAYLOCK, M. RASMUSSEN, A. CLOKE, E. HODGSON, P. ROWELL, V. CONNELL, C. HUTT,
C. SUTHERLAND, S. CRANWELL, M. INGHAM, N. TALLIN, M. CUDDIFORD, L. KINCAID,
S. TAYLOR, N. DEMETRIADI, S. LUCKING, J. THOMAS, R. DICKINSON, V. MACGREGOR,
B. WALSH, L. EMLY, J. MERCER, S. GIDDINGS, M. NIGHTINGALE.
Assisted by:
C. ARNOLD, M. CHILVERS, K. GLUSHKO, J. BRUCE, S. DUFF,  S. READ, J. BLURTON,
R. FLECK, M. TEMME.

“I should like to thank all the team for their hard work and support in the creation of the Charter Hangings.”  Isobel Clover.

St Peter’s by the Waterfront.
St Peter’s is one of 5 medieval churches, retired and sold for £1 each to Ipswich Borough Council in the 1970s and put into the care of Ipswich Historic Churches Trust. St Peter’s has been refurbished as a 200-seat concert venue and heritage centre. This was made possible by the hard work of The Ipswich Hospital Band in securing a major award from Heritage Lottery, along with grants from the Borough Council and Ipswich Historic Churches Trust.
Alongside the Charter Hangings, St Peter’s contains an exhibition of its history, spanning the last 1000 years, prepared by local historians and supported by the Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service. Roy Tricker has written a splendid booklet about the history of the church. This covers a similar period to the span of Ipswich history contained in the eight hangings. Artefacts from the original church include part of a superb, and very rare, 12th century Belgian Tournai marble font.

In addition to the opening times listed above, St Peter’s is also open at weekends for special events such as Ipswich Maritime and Heritage Weekend. Details at, www.stpetersbythewaterfront.com
If you are planning a special journey, please check the St Peters website, as occasionally opening times may be amended due to special events or maintenance work on the church.

Volunteers from various local societies and organisations supervise the opening and also oversee the sale of merchandise.

The Ipswich Charter Hangings (Gallery View). Please click on an image to view gallery.

 

To protect and preserve them, each panel of the Charter Hangings is housed in an ash framed  glazed display case. Both the glass and display lighting used are designed to reduce the effects of UV light on the panels.

Location Map for St. Peters by the Waterfront